Injection-molding method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

An injection-molding method made up of a step of preparing a first die ( 41 ), a second die ( 46 ) and a third die ( 47 ), a step of sandwiching a separator proper ( 16 ) with the first die ( 41 ) and the second die ( 46 ), a step of molding a front side molded layer ( 32 ) by injecting silicone rubber ( 59 ) into the front side cavity ( 50 ) through a gate ( 52 ), a step of replacing the second die ( 46 ) with a third die ( 47 ) while the front side molded layer ( 32 ) is still soft, and a step of molding a rear side molded layer ( 34 ) by piercing the front side molded layer ( 32 ) with an injection pressure injecting the silicone rubber ( 59 ) through the gate ( 52 ) and filling a rear side cavity ( 63 ) with silicone rubber ( 59 ) through the through hole ( 30 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an injection-molding method and apparatus, andparticularly to an injection-molding method and apparatus for molding amolded layer such as a seal to both sides of a plate-shaped member.

BACKGROUND ART

A separator for use in a fuel cell has a seal made of silicon rubbermolded to its periphery. As this kind of seal, for example JapanesePatent Laid-Open Publication No. 11-309746 (JP-A-11-309746),“Manufacturing Method of Silicone Resin—Metal Composite” is known. Thismanufacturing method of related art will be described on the basis ofFIG. 28.

By an injection-molding apparatus 500 being closed, a separator proper(that is, plate-shaped member) 503 is inserted between a fixed die 501and a moving die 502 and a cavity 504 is formed by the fixed die 501 andthe moving die 502.

Molten silicone resin is injected into the cavity 504 as shown with anarrow. By this means, a front side seal (that is, molded layer) 506 ismolded to the front side 505 of the separator proper 503, and sealmaterial is made to flow around to the rear side 507 of the separatorproper 503 so that a rear side seal 508 is molded.

The front side seal 506 and the rear side seal 508 together constitute aseal 509 covering a peripheral part 503 a of the separator proper 503.By a seal 509 being formed on the peripheral part 503 a of a separatorproper 503 like this, a separator 510 is obtained.

By sandwiching an electrolyte membrane, a negative electrode and apositive electrode with this separator 510, a fuel cell is assembled.Because hydrogen gas, oxygen gas and product water flow inside this fuelcell, it is necessary for the seals of the separator to be molded well.

Here, the seal 509 is a molded membrane made of thin silicone resin, andwhen the molten silicone resin is injected into the cavity 504, it takestime for the front side seal 506 to be molded to the front side 505 ofthe separator proper 503 and for the molten silicone resin to flowaround to the rear side 507 of the separator proper 503 well.

Consequently, the manufacture of the separator 510 takes time, and thishas been an impediment to raising the productivity of fuel cells.

Also, when the cavity 504 is being filled with silicon resin, to makethe silicone resin flow around to the rear side 507 of the separatorproper 503 from the front side 505, for example an injection pressure ofthe silicone resin may act only on the front side 505 of the separatorproper 503.

Therefore, when the separator proper 503 is a very thin plate material,there is a risk of the injection pressure of the silicone resin actingonly on the front side 505 side being too great with respect to therigidity of the separator proper 503. Consequently, it is necessary forthe injection pressure of the silicone resin to be kept down, so that anexcessive injection pressure does not act on the separator proper 503.

However, when the injection pressure of the silicone resin is kept down,the manufacture of the separator 510 takes time, and this has been animpediment to raising the productivity of fuel cells.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

This invention, in a first aspect, provides an injection-molding methodfor covering a plate-shaped member having a through hole reaching from afront face to a rear face with a molded layer by injection-molding, theinjection-molding method including: a step of preparing a first diehaving a gate that will face the through hole and a front side cavityface that will face the front face of the plate-shaped member, a seconddie having a receiving face for receiving the rear face of theplate-shaped member and a pin for blocking the through hole, and a thirddie having a rear side cavity face that will face the rear face of theplate-shaped member; a step of sandwiching the plate-shaped member withthe first die and the second die and forming a front side cavity withthe front side cavity face of the first die and the front face of theplate-shaped member; a step of molding a front side molded layer to thefront face of the plate-shaped member by injecting a molding materialsuch as resin through the gate into this front side cavity; a step ofopening the through hole and forming a front side cavity with the rearside cavity face of the third die and the rear face of the plate-shapedmember by replacing the second die with the third die; and a step ofmolding a rear side molded layer to the rear face of the plate-shapedmember by piercing the front side molded layer with an injectionpressure for injecting molding material through the gate and filling therear side cavity with molding material by way of the through hole.

After a molding material such as resin is injected to the front sidecavity to mold a front side molded layer, the second die is replacedwith the third die. In this state, by molding material being injectedthrough the gate, the front side molded layer is pierced under injectionpressure, and a rear side molded layer is molded to the rear face of theplate-shaped member by the rear side cavity being filled with moldingmaterial through the through hole.

By the front side molded layer being pierced with injection pressure,molding material can be guided into the rear side cavity efficientlythrough the through hole. Consequently, it becomes possible to fill therear side cavity with molding material rapidly.

By this means it is possible to mold a front side molded layer and arear side molded layer respectively to the front face and the rear faceof the plate-shaped member in a short time, and to raise productivity.

The invention, in a second aspect, is an injection-molding apparatusconstructed to mold a front side molded layer on a front face of aplate-shaped member by sandwiching the plate-shaped member with a firstdie and a second die being closed and thereby forming a front sidecavity with the front face of the plate-shaped member and the first dieand filling this front side cavity with a molding material such as resinand to mold a rear side molded layer to the rear face of theplate-shaped member by replacing the second die with a third die andsandwiching the plate-shaped member with the third die and the first dieand thereby forming a rear side cavity with the rear face of theplate-shaped member and the third die and filling this rear side cavitywith a molding material such as resin; and a gate for injecting moldingmaterial into the front side cavity and the rear side cavity is providedin the first die and this gate is made to face a through hole formed inthe plate-shaped member; a receiving face for making contact with therear face of the plate-shaped member is provided on the second die and apin able to fit in the through hole is provided on the receiving face;and to replace the second die with the third die, moving means areprovided for moving the second and third dies between a facing positionfacing the first die and a withdrawn position away from the first die.

A pin is provided on the second die, and when the plate-shaped member issandwiched with the first and second dies the pin fits into the throughhole in the plate-shaped member and blocks the through hole.Consequently, when a molding material such as resin is filled into thefront side cavity, the molding material is prevented from entering thethrough hole.

As a result, it is possible to remove the pin from the through hole andopen the through hole by replacing the second die with the third die.

A gate is provided in the first die and this gate is made to face thethrough hole. Consequently, by closing the first and third dies andinjecting molding material through the gate, it is possible to piercethe front side molded layer with the injection pressure produced and toguide resin to the rear side cavity efficiently through the throughhole.

By this means it is possible to fill the rear side cavity with moldingmaterial rapidly and to mold molded layers to the front face and therear face of the plate-shaped member in a short time and to raiseproductivity.

Also, by providing a through hole in the plate-shaped member and makingthe gate face the through hole, it is possible to mold molded layers tothe front face and the rear face of a plate-shaped member in a shorttime with the simple construction of just providing one gate in thefirst die.

By this means it becomes possible to provide an economicalinjection-molding apparatus, and equipment costs can be kept down.

Preferably, support projections for supporting the plate-shaped memberby abutting with it near the through hole are provided on the third die.

By support projections being provided on the third die and these supportprojections being made to abut with the vicinity of the through hole,the plate-shaped member around the through hole is supported. Therefore,even when an injection pressure acts on the area of the plate-shapedmember around the through hole, that area is prevented from deforming.

This makes it possible to apply the injection-molding apparatus to anextremely thin plate-shaped member, and an enlargement of its range ofuse can be achieved.

The invention, in a third aspect, provides an injection-molding methodfor covering a front face and a rear face of a plate-shaped member witha molded layer by injection-molding, the injection-molding methodincluding: a step of preparing a first die having a front side cavityface that will face the front face of the plate-shaped member and afirst gate opening at this front side cavity face and a first pressuresensor fronted on the front side cavity face and preparing a second diehaving a rear side cavity face that will face the rear face of theplate-shaped member and a second gate opening at the rear side cavityface and a second pressure sensor fronted on the rear side cavity face;a step of sandwiching the plate-shaped member with the first die and thesecond die and thereby forming a front side cavity with the front sidecavity face of the first die and the front face of the plate-shapedmember and forming rear side cavity with the rear side cavity face ofthe second die and the rear face of the plate-shaped member; a step ofinjecting a molding material such as resin through the first gate intothe front side cavity and injecting a molding material through thesecond gate into the rear side cavity; and a step of stopping theinjection of molding material into the front side cavity when a measuredvalue of the first pressure sensor reaches a prescribed value andstopping the injection of molding material into the rear side cavitywhen a measured value of the second pressure sensor reaches a prescribedvalue, to mold front and rear side molded layers respectively in thefront and rear side cavities.

First and second gates are made to face on the front side cavity and therear side cavity respectively, and molding material is injected into thefront side cavity through the first gate and molding material isinjected into the rear side cavity through the second gate.

By molding material being injected into the front and rear side cavitiesthrough respective separate first and second gates, molding material isguided into the front and rear side cavities efficiently and filled intothe front and rear side cavities rapidly.

Also, by the internal pressures of the front and rear side cavitiesbeing detected with first and second pressure sensors, the internalpressures of the front and rear side cavities are kept constant. By thismeans, molding material is injected into each of the front side cavityand the rear side cavity optimally.

By injecting molding material into the front and rear side cavitiesrapidly and optimally like this, it is possible to mold a front sidemolded layer and a rear side molded layer respectively to the front faceand the rear face of the plate-shaped member well in a short time, andraise productivity.

Also, by the internal pressures of the front and rear side cavitiesbeing kept constant, the flow of molding material is controlled so thatthere is no difference in internal pressure between the front and rearside cavities as injection of the molding material is carried out.

By eliminating any internal pressure difference between the front andrear side cavities like this, it is possible to reduce the load actingon the plate-shaped member.

The invention, in a fourth aspect, is an injection-molding apparatusconstructed to sandwich a plate-shaped member with first and second diesand thereby form a front side cavity with a front face of theplate-shaped member and the first die and form a rear face cavity with arear face of the plate-shaped member and the second die and fill thefront and rear side cavities with a molding material such as resin tomold a front side molded layer to the front face of the plate-shapedmember and mold a rear face molded layer to the rear face of theplate-shaped member; and in the first die it has a first crate facingthe front side cavity and a first pressure sensor for measuring theinternal pressure of the front side cavity; in the second die it has asecond gate facing the rear side cavity and a second pressure sensor formeasuring the internal pressure of the rear side cavity; and it hascontrol means for stopping the injection of molding material into thefront side cavity on the basis of a signal from the first pressuresensor when the internal pressure of the front side cavity has reached aprescribed value and stopping the injection of molding material into therear side cavity on the basis of a signal from the second pressuresensor when the internal pressure of the rear side cavity has reached aprescribed value.

A first gate fronting on the front side cavity is provided in the firstdie and a second gate fronting on the rear side cavity is provided inthe second die.

By this means, molding material is injected into the front and rear sidecavities through the first and second gates individually, and moldingmaterial can be guided into the front and rear side cavities efficientlyand the front and rear side cavities can be filled rapidly.

Also, a first pressure sensor is provided in the first die and a secondpressure sensor is provided in the second die, and control means isprovided for keeping the internal pressures of the front and rear sidecavities constant on the basis of internal pressure data detected by thefirst and second pressure sensors.

By this means, the front and rear side cavities are each filled withmolding material optimally.

By filling the front and rear side cavities with molding materialrapidly and optimally like this, it is possible to mold a front sidemolded layer and a rear side molded layer respectively to the front faceand the rear face of plate-shaped member well in a short time, and toraise productivity.

Also, first and second pressure sensors and a control part are provided.Accordingly, control of the flows of molding material is carried out sothat the internal pressures of the front and rear side cavities are keptconstant and there is no internal pressure difference between the frontand rear side cavities as injection of molding material is carried out.

By eliminating any internal pressure difference between the front andrear side cavities like this, it is possible to reduce the load actingon the plate-shaped member.

The invention, in a fifth aspect, provides an injection-molding methodfor covering a front face and a rear face of a plate-shaped member witha molded layer by injection-molding, the injection-molding methodincluding: a step of preparing a first die having a front side cavityface that will cover the front face of the plate-shaped member and afirst gate opening at the front side cavity face and a second gateavoiding the front side cavity face and switching means for guidingmolding material to either one of the first and second gates, preparinga second die having a receiving face for receiving the rear face of theplate-shaped member, and preparing a third die having a rear side cavityface that will cover the rear face of the plate-shaped member and aconnecting passage that will cause the second gate to open at the rearside cavity face; a step of sandwiching the plate-shaped member with thefirst die and the second die and forming a front side cavity with thefront side cavity face of the first die and the front face of theplate-shaped member; a step of injecting a molding material such asresin through the first gate into the front side cavity to mold a frontside molded layer; a step of replacing the second die with the third dieand thereby forming a front side cavity with the rear side cavity faceof the third die and the rear face of the plate-shaped member; and astep of injecting a molding material through the second gate and theconnecting passage into the rear side cavity to mold a rear side moldedlayer.

After molding material is injected into the front side cavity throughthe first gate to mold a front side molded layer, the second die isreplaced with the third die. In this state, by the switching means beingswitched and molding material being injected through the second gate,the rear side cavity is filled with molding material via the connectingpassage to mold a rear side molded layer on the rear face of theplate-shaped member.

In this way, molding material guided to the second gate is guidedefficiently into the rear side cavity through the connecting passage,and the rear side cavity is filled with molding material rapidly.

As a result, it is possible to mold the front side molded layer and rearside molded layer are respectively molded on the front face and the rearface of the plate-shaped member in a short time and productivity can beimproved.

The invention, in a sixth aspect, is an injection-molding apparatusconstructed to mold a front side molded layer to a front face of aplate-shaped member by closing first and second dies and sandwiching theplate-shaped member and thereby forming a front side cavity with thefront face of the plate-shaped member and the first die and filling thisfront side cavity with a molding material such as resin and to mold arear side molded layer to a rear face of the plate-shaped member byreplacing the second die with a third die and sandwiching theplate-shaped member with the third die and the first die and therebyforming a rear face cavity with the rear face of the plate-shaped memberand the third die and filling this rear face cavity with moldingmaterial; and the first die is provided with a first gate facing thefront side cavity and a second gate avoiding the rear side cavity andswitching means for guiding molding material to either one of the firstand second gates; the second die is provided with a receiving face formaking contact with the rear face of the plate-shaped member; the thirddie is provided with a connecting passage for connecting the second gateto the rear side cavity; and to replace the second die with the thirddie, moving means are provided for moving the second and third diesbetween a facing position facing the first die and a withdrawn positionaway from the first die.

By the first gate of the first die being made to front on the front sidecavity, a front side molded layer is molded by injecting moldingmaterial into the front side cavity through the first gate. By thesecond gate of the first die being made to connect with the rear sidecavity by way of the connecting passage in the third die, the rear sidecavity is filled with molding material to mold a rear side molded layerto the rear face of the plate-shaped member.

Therefore, molding material guided to the second gate is guidedefficiently into the rear side cavity through the connecting passage andthe rear side cavity is filled with molding material rapidly.

By this means it is possible to mold molded layers on the front face andthe rear face of a plate-shaped member in a short time and to raiseproductivity.

Also, molded layers are molded to the front face and the rear face ofthe plate-shaped member in a short time with a simple construction ofjust providing first and second gates and switching means in the firstdie and providing a connecting passage in the third die.

As a result it is possible to provide an economical infection-moldingapparatus, and equipment costs can be kept down.

Preferably, the front side cavity and the rear side cavity are formed sothat the front side molded layer and the rear side molded layer areextended to the outer edge of the plate-shaped member and the two layersare made to make contact.

The front side molded layer and the rear side molded layer are eachextended to the outer edge of the plate-shaped member, and are made tomake contact with each other at the outer edge.

By this means it is possible to cover the outer edge of the plate-shapedmember with a molding layer without fail and certainly prevent corrosionfrom occurring in the plate-shaped member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel cell having a separatormolded in an injection-molding apparatus according to a first embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on the line A-A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an injection-molding apparatusaccording to the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into a front side cavity in aninjection-molding method according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are explanatory views showing an example of moldinga front side molded layer to a separator proper in the injection-moldingmethod of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are explanatory views showing an example of forminga rear side cavity in the injection-molding method of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 7A through FIG. 7C are explanatory views showing an example offilling a rear side cavity with molten silicone rubber in theinjection-molding method of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are enlarged views showing an example of covering aseparator proper with a front side molded layer and a rear side moldedlayer in the injection-molding method of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a separator molded with aninjection-molding apparatus according to a second embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing an injection-molding apparatusaccording to the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into front and rear side cavities in aninjection-melding method of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are explanatory views showing an example ofcovering a separator proper with a seal in the injection-molding methodof the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing an injection-molding apparatusaccording to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are explanatory views showing an example offorming front and rear side cavities in an injection-molding method ofthe third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing an example of injecting moltensilicone rubber into front and rear side cavities in theinjection-molding method of the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an example of molding a seal inthe injection-molding method of the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing an example of releasing aseparator from first and second dies in the injection-molding method ofthe third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing an injection-molding apparatusaccording to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into a front side cavity in aninjection-molding method according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B are explanatory views showing an example ofmolding a front side molded layer to a separator proper in theinjection-molding method of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into a rear side cavity in theinjection-molding method of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B are explanatory views showing an example ofreleasing a separator from first and third dies in the injection-moldingmethod of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing an injection-molding apparatusaccording to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 24A and FIG. 24B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into a front side cavity in aninjection-molding method of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 25A and FIG. 25B are explanatory views showing an example ofmolding a front side molded layer to a separator proper in theinjection-molding method of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 26A and FIG. 26B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into a rear side cavity in theinjection-molding method of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B are explanatory views showing an example ofreleasing a separator from first and third dies in the injection-moldingmethod of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing a related art example of molding aseal to a peripheral part of a separator for use in a fuel cell.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a fuel cell 10 is made by placing a negativeelectrode 12 and a positive electrode 13 respectively on an upper face11 a side and a lower face 11 b side of an electrolyte membrane 11, andstacking an upper side separator 15 on the negative electrode 12 andstacking a lower side separator 15 on the positive electrode 13.

Each separator 15 has a silicone rubber seal (a molded layer made up ofa front side molded layer and a rear side molded layer) 18 on aperipheral part 17 of a metal separator proper (plate-shaped member) 16.

The separator proper 16 has hydrogen gas passages, oxygen gas passagesand product water passages (not shown) in the peripheral part 17. Bythis peripheral part 17 being covered with the silicone rubber seal 18,the edges of the hydrogen gas passages, the edges of the oxygen gaspassages and the edges of the product water passages are covered by theseal 18 to form hydrogen gas passages 20 . . . , oxygen gas passages 21. . . and product water passages 22 . . . .

The seal 18 has molded integrally therewith a ridge part 28 thatsurrounds a central part 19 of the separator 15.

By the peripheral part 17 of the separator proper 16 being covered withthe seal 18, the hydrogen gas passages 20 . . . , the oxygen gaspassages 21 . . . and the product water passages 22 . . . are providedwith corrosion resistance with respect to gases and product water.

The electrolyte membrane 11 has hydrogen gas passages 24 . . . , oxygengas passages 25 . . . and product water passages 26 . . . in itsperipheral part.

In this fuel cell 10, hydrogen gas can be supplied through the hydrogengas passages 20 . . . , 24 . . . as shown by the arrows A and guidedtoward the upper side of the central part 19 of the separator 15 asshown by the arrow B, and oxygen gas can be supplied through the oxygengas passages 21 . . . , 25 . . . as shown by the arrow C and guidedtoward the lower side of the central part 19 of the separator 15 asshown by the arrow D.

In this way, hydrogen gas is brought into contact with a catalystincluded in the negative electrode 12 and oxygen gas is brought intocontact with a catalyst included in the positive electrode 13, electronse⁻ are caused to flow as shown with arrows, and a current is produced.

At this time, product water is produced from hydrogen molecules andoxygen molecules, and this product water is guided from the central part19 of the separator 15 as shown by the arrow E to the product waterpassages 22 . . . , 26 . . . and made to flow through the product waterpassages 22 . . . , 26 . . . as shown by the arrow F.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the separator 15, a through hole 30 is providedin the peripheral part 17 of the separator proper 16; a front sidemolded layer (a front face side area of the seal 18) 32 is molded to thefront face 31 of the separator proper 16; a rear side molded layer (arear face side area of the seal 18) 34 is molded to the rear face 33 ofthe separator proper 16; and a filling part (a part of the seal 18) 35fills the through hole 30.

The front side molded layer 32 has integrally provided therewith theridge part 28, which surrounds the central part 19 of the separatorproper 16, and has protrusions 36 constituting passages such as thehydrogen gas passages 20, oxygen gas passages 21 and product waterpassages 22 shown in FIG. 1.

The rear side molded layer 34 has void parts 38 . . . near the throughhole 30 and plug parts 39 (the same resin material as the seal 18) plugthe void parts 38 . . . .

An injection-molding apparatus 40 (see FIG. 3) for molding the seal 18will now be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the injection-molding apparatus 40 is made up of afirst die 41 provided movably up and down as shown with arrows,injecting means 42 mounted on this first die 41, a bed 43 disposed belowthe first die 41, moving means 48 for sliding a slider 45 along a guiderail 44 of this bed 43, and second and third dies 46, 47 mounted on thisslider 45.

This moving means 48 is made up of the guide rail 44 provided on the bed43, the slider 45 mounted slidably along the guide rail 44 in thedirection shown with arrows, and an actuator (not shown) such as acylinder for moving the slider 45 along the guide rail 44.

The first die 41 has a front side cavity face 51 that forms a front sidecavity 50 (see FIG. 4B) together with the front face 31 of a separatorproper 16 when the first die 41 is closed onto the second die 46.

This front side cavity face 51 also forms a front side cavity 50 (seeFIG. 4B) together with the front face 31 of the separator proper 16 whenthe first die 41 is closed onto the third die 47.

The injecting means 42 has a gate 52 which is provided in the first die41 and opens at the front side cavity face 51 and an injection cylinder53 connecting with the gate 52; a plunger 54 is movably disposed insidethe injection cylinder 53, this plunger 54 is connected by a rod 55 to apiston 56, and this piston 56 is movably disposed inside a cylinder 57.

By the outlet of a hopper 58 being connected to the injection cylinder53, a resin material, that is, molten silicone rubber (moldingmaterial), 59 in the hopper 58 is fed into the injection cylinder 53.

After molten silicone rubber 59 poured into the hopper 58 is fed throughthe outlet into the injection cylinder 53, by the piston 56 being movedin the direction of the arrow, the plunger 54 is pushed out and siliconerubber 59 inside the injection cylinder 53 is injected through the gate52 into the front side cavity 50 (see FIG. 4B).

The second die 46 is mounted on the slider 45 and has at its top areceiving face 60 that makes contact with the rear face 33 of theseparator proper 16 when the first die 41 is closed onto the second die46 and has a pin 61 on the receiving face 60.

This pin 61 fits in the through hole 30.

The third die 47 is mounted on the slider 45 and has a rear side cavityface 64 that forms a rear side cavity 63 (see FIG. 6B) with the rearface 33 of the separator proper 16 when the first die 41 is closed ontothe third die 47, and has support projections 66 . . . on the rear sidecavity face 64.

The support projections 66 . . . are for supporting the separator proper16 by abutting with a part of the separator proper 16 near the throughhole 30.

Although only two support projections 66 . . . are shown in the figure,to support the separator proper 16 efficiently it is desirable that forexample three be provided.

The moving means 48 is means for moving the slider 45 in the directionof the arrows, and moves the second die 46 and the third die 47 to afacing position P1 facing the first die 41 and moves the second die 46and the third die 47 to a withdrawn position P2 away from the first die41.

Next, an injection-molding method for molding a seal 18 (see FIG. 2) tothe peripheral part 17 of the separator proper 16 using theinjection-molding apparatus 40 will be described, on the basis of FIG. 3through FIG. 8.

First, the injection-molding apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 3, i.e. a firstdie 41 having a gate 52 that will face the through hole 30 and a frontside cavity face 51 that will cover the front face 31 of a separatorproper 16, a second die 46 having a receiving face 60 to receive therear face 33 of a separator proper 16 without forming a cavity and a pin61 to block the through hole 30, and a third die 47 having a rear sidecavity face 64 to cover the rear face 33 of a separator proper 16 andsupport projections 66 . . . to support the separator proper 16, isprepared.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into a front side cavity in aninjection-molding method of a first embodiment.

In FIG. 4A, by the slider 45 being moved with the moving means 48, thesecond die 46 is set to the facing position P1, and the second die 46 isthus made to face the first die 41.

Then, by a separator proper 16 being received onto the receiving face 60of the second die 46, the rear face 33 of the separator proper 16 isbrought into contact with the receiving face 60 and the pin 61 is fittedin the through hole 30 and the through hole 30 is blocked by the pin 61.

In this state, the first die 41 is lowered as shown by the arrows a1 andthe first and second dies 41, 46 are clamped together.

In FIG. 4B, by the separator proper 16 being sandwiched between thefirst die 41 and the second die 46, a front side cavity 50 is formed bythe front face 31 of the separator proper 16 and the front side cavityface 51 of the first die 41.

Then, the plunger 54 is moved with the piston 56 of the injecting means42 as shown by the arrow b1. This causes molten silicone rubber 59inside the injection cylinder 53 to pass through the gate 52 and beinjected into the front side cavity 50 as shown by the arrows c1.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are explanatory views showing an example of moldinga front side molded layer to a separator proper in the injection-moldingmethod of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 5A, by molten silicone rubber 59 being injected into the frontside cavity 50, a front side molded layer 32 is molded to the front face31 of the separator proper 16.

Because the pin 61 fits in the through hole 30 of the separator proper16 and blocks the through hole 30, it prevents the silicone rubber 59from entering the through hole 30.

Next, the first die 41 is moved as shown by the arrows d1 to part thedies.

In FIG. 5B, when the first die 41 is opened, the separator proper 16 ismoved together with the first die 41 so that the separator proper 16moves away from the second die 46. This removes the through hole 30 fromthe pin 61 and opens the through hole 30.

Next, the moving means 48 is operated to move the slider 45 as shown bythe arrow e1.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are explanatory views showing an example of moldinga rear side cavity in the injection-molding method of the firstembodiment.

In FIG. 6A, the third die 47 is set in the facing position P1, so thatthe third die 47 faces the first die 41.

Then, by the first die 41 being lowered as shown by the arrows f1, thefirst and third dies 41, 47 are closed while the front side molded layer32 is still soft. This completes a mold-closing with the second die 46(see FIG. 5B) replaced with the third die 47.

In FIG. 6B, by the separator proper 16 being sandwiched between thefirst die 41 and the third die 47, a rear side cavity 63 is formed bythe rear face 33 of the separator proper 16 and the rear side cavityface 64 of the third die 47.

At the same time, the support projections 66 . . . abut with the area ofthe separator proper 16 around the through hole 30.

Then, by the plunger 54 being moved with the piston 56 as shown by thearrow g1, molten silicone rubber 59 in the injection cylinder 53 isinjected through the gate 52 toward the front side molded layer 32 asshown with an arrow.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7C are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into the rear side cavity in theinjection-molding method of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 7A, the gate 52 is disposed so as to face the through hole 30.In this state, molten silicone rubber 59 is injected through the gate 52toward the front side molded layer 32 as shown with an arrow.

Consequently, the injection pressure of the molten silicone rubber 59acts on the soft front side molded layer 32, and of the front sidemolded layer 32 an area 32 a over the through hole 30 stretches andenters the through hole 30.

The area 32 a of the front side molded layer 32 gradually becomes thinas it stretches under the injection pressure of the molten siliconerubber 59.

In FIG. 7B, as a result of the area 32 a of the front side molded layer32 becoming thin, this area 32 a opens under the injection pressure ofthe molten silicone rubber 59. Consequently, silicone rubber 59 injectedthrough the gate 52 is guided through the through hole 30 to the rearside cavity 63 as shown with arrows.

At this time, the support projections 66 . . . are in abutment with therear face 33 of the separator proper 16 near the through hole 30.Consequently, the separator proper 16 in the vicinity of the throughhole 30 is supported by the support projections 66 . . . .

As a result of the separator proper 16 being supported by the supportprojections 66 . . . , even when the injection pressure acts on the areaof the separator proper 16 around the through hole 30, this area isprevented from deforming.

Therefore, the injection-molding apparatus 40 can be applied even whenthe separator proper 16 is extremely thin, and an enlargement of therange of use of the injection-molding apparatus 40 can be achieved.

In FIG. 7C, silicone rubber 59 having reached the rear side cavity 63 isguided into the rear side cavity 63 as shown by the arrows h1.

In this way, by piercing the area 32 a (see FIG. 7B) of the front sidemolded layer 32 with injection pressure and guiding molten siliconerubber 59 to the rear side cavity 63 through the through hole 30,silicone rubber 59 is efficiently injected into the rear side cavity 63.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are explanatory views showing an example of coveringa separator proper with a front side molded layer and a rear side moldedlayer in the injection-molding method of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 8A, molten silicone rubber 59 fills the rear side cavity 63 andmolds a rear side molded layer 34 onto the rear face 33 of the separatorproper 16. At the same time, molten silicone rubber 59 fills the throughhole 20.

The outer edge 16 a of the separator proper 16 is disposed apredetermined gap from the front side cavity face 51 of the first die 41and is disposed a predetermined gap from the rear face cavity face 64 ofthe third die 47.

Therefore, when the first and third dies 41, 47 are closed, the frontside cavity 50 formed by the first die 41 and the separator proper 16and the rear side cavity 63 formed by the third die 47 and the separatorproper 16 extend around the outer edge 16 a of the separator proper 16and connect with each other.

Consequently, the rear side molded layer 34 is guided to the outer edge16 a of the separator proper 16 and caused to connect with the frontside molded layer 32, which extends to the outer edge 16 a of theseparator proper 16.

Because the outer edge 16 a of the separator proper 16 can be coveredwith the front side molded layer 32 and the rear side molded layer 34,that is, with a seal 18 (see FIG. 8B), corrosion can be prevented fromoccurring in the separator proper 16.

After the separator proper 16 is covered with the front side moldedlayer 32 and the rear side molded layer 34, the first die 41 is moved asshown by the arrows i1 to open the mold.

In FIG. 8B, a separator 15 obtained by covering the separator proper 16with a seal 18 is removed from the first and third dies 41, 47.

At this time, as a result of the support projections 66 . . . .

being moved away from the separator proper 16, void parts 38 are formedin the rear side molded layer 34.

Accordingly, the void parts 38 . . . are plugged with plug parts 39 (seeFIG. 2) to complete the process of manufacturing the separator 15.

As explained in the first embodiment of FIG. 1 through FIG. 8B, in aninjection-molding method according to the invention, an area 32 a of thefront side molded layer 32 is pierced through with an injection pressureof molten silicone rubber 59, and silicone rubber 59 is efficientlyguided into the rear side cavity 63 through the through hole 30.

Thus the rear side cavity 63 can be filled with silicone rubber 59rapidly, and front and rears side molded layers 32, 34, that is, a seal18, can be molded to the front face 31 and the rear face 33 of aseparator proper 16 in a short time.

Also, a through hole 30 is provided in the separator proper 16, and thegate 52 of the first die 41 is made to face the through hole 30.

Therefore, with the simple construction of just providing the singlegate 52 in the first die 41, as described above it is possible to mold aseal 18 to the front face 31 and the rear face 33 of a separator proper16 in a short time.

By this means it is possible to provide an economical injection-moldingapparatus 40.

Second through fifth embodiments will now be described on the basis ofFIG. 9 through FIG. 27. In the second through fifth embodiments, partsthe same as parts in the first embodiment have been given the samereference numerals and will not be described again.

Second Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 9, a separator 115 is made by covering a peripheralpart 117 of a separator proper 116 with a seal 118 made of siliconrubber.

The separator 115 of the second embodiment is the separator 15 of thefirst embodiment shown in FIG. 2 with the through hole in the peripheralpart 17 removed, and otherwise its construction is the same as theseparator 15 of the first embodiment.

The seal 118 is made by molding a front side molded layer (a front faceside area of the seal 118) 132 to the front face 131 of the separatorproper 116 and molding a rear side molded layer (a rear face side areaof the seal 118) 134 to the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116,at the peripheral part 117 of the separator proper 116.

The peripheral part 117 is covered with the seal 118, and the edges ofhydrogen gas passages, the edges of oxygen gas passages and the edges ofproduct water passages are covered by the seal 118 and form the hydrogengas passages 20 . . . , oxygen gas passages 21 . . . and product waterpassages 22 . . . shown in FIG. 1.

The front side molded layer 132 has integrally therewith a ridge part 28that surrounds the central part 19 of the separator proper 116, and hasprotrusions 36 constituting passages such as the hydrogen gas passages20, oxygen gas passages 21 and product water passages 22 shown in FIG.1.

Next, an injection-molding apparatus 140 (see FIG. 10) for molding theseal 118 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the injection-molding apparatus 140 has a first die141 movable up and down as shown with arrows, has first injecting means142 on this first die 141, has a second die 143 disposed below the firstdie 141 and clampable to the first die 141, has second injecting means144 on this second die 143, has air supply means 145 for actuating thefirst and second injecting means 142 and 144, and has control means 146able to control this air supply means 145 to a state in which itsupplies air to the first and second injecting means 142, 144 and astate in which it does not.

The first die 141 has a front side cavity face 150 in its side facingthe second die 143. By the first die 141 and the second die 143 beingclosed and a separator proper 116 being sandwiched with the first die141 and the second die 143, a front side cavity 151 (see FIG. 11B) isformed by the front side cavity face 150 and the front face 131 of theseparator proper 116.

Also, the first die 141 has a first gate 152 opening at the front facecavity face 150 and a first pressure sensor 153 for measuring theinternal pressure of the front side cavity 151.

The first injecting means 142 is connected to the first gate 152. Thisinjecting means 142 has a supply conduit 155 connecting with the firstgate 152 and has an injection cylinder 156 connecting with this supplyconduit 155; a plunger 157 is disposed movably inside the injectioncylinder 156, a piston 159 is connected by a rod 158 to this plunger157, and this piston 159 is disposed movably inside a cylinder 160.

The outlet of a hopper 161 connects with the injection cylinder 156, anda resin material in the hopper 161, for example molten silicone rubber(molding material) 59, is supplied into the injection cylinder 156.

After the molten silicone rubber 59 in the hopper 161 is suppliedthrough the outlet into the injection cylinder 156, the piston 159 ismoved in the direction of the arrow with the air supply means 145.

By the piston 159 being moved in the direction of the arrow, the plunger157 is pushed out and injects silicone rubber 59 in the injectioncylinder 156 through the first gate 152 into the front side cavity 151(see FIG. 11B).

The second die 143 has a rear side cavity face 165 in its side facingthe first die 141. By the first die 141 and the second die 143 beingclosed and the separator proper 116 being sandwiched by the first die141 and the second die 143, a rear side cavity 166 (see FIG. 11B) isformed by the rear side cavity face 165 and the rear face 133 of theseparator proper 116.

Also, the second die 143 has a second gate 167 opening at the rear facecavity face 165 and a second pressure sensor 168 for measuring theinternal pressure of the rear side cavity 166.

The second injecting means 144 is connected to the second gate 167. Thissecond injecting means 144, like the first injecting means 142, has asupply conduit 171 connecting with the second gate 167 and has aninjection cylinder 172 connecting with this supply conduit 171; aplunger 173 is movably disposed inside the injection cylinder 172, apiston 175 is connected by a rod 174 to this plunger 173, and thispiston 175 is movably disposed inside a cylinder 176.

The outlet of a hopper 177 connects with the injection cylinder 172, anda resin material inside the hopper 177, for example molten siliconerubber (molding material) 59, is supplied into the injection cylinder172.

After molten silicone rubber 59 in the hopper 177 is supplied throughthe outlet into the injection cylinder 172, the piston 175 is moved inthe direction of the arrow with the air supply means 145.

By the piston 175 being moved in the direction of the arrow, the plunger173 is pushed out and injects silicone rubber 59 inside the injectioncylinder 172 through the second gate 167 into the rear side cavity 166(see FIG. 11B).

The air supply means 145 is made by connecting an air supply source 180to the cylinder 160 of the first injecting means 142 by a first air flowpassage 181 and connecting the air supply source 180 to the cylinder 176of the second injecting means 144 by a second air flow passage 182.

The control means 146 has a first control part 185 in the first air flowpassage 181, the first pressure sensor 153 being electrically connectedto this first control part 185 by a harness 187, and has a secondcontrol part 186 in the second air flow passage 182, the second pressuresensor 168 being electrically connected to this second control part 186by a harness 188.

The first pressure sensor 153 detects the internal pressure of the frontside cavity 151 (see FIG. 11B) and sends an internal pressure detectionsignal to the first control part 185.

In a normal state the first control part 185 keeps the first air flowpassage 181 open, but on the basis of the detection signal from thefirst pressure sensor 153 it switches the first air flow passage 181 toclosed or regulates the aperture of the first air flow passage 181.

Accordingly, in the normal state, when the air supply source 180 isdriven, air delivered from the air supply source 180 is supplied throughthe first half of the first air flow passage 181, the first control part185 and the second half of the first air flow passage 181 to thecylinder 160 of the first injecting means 42.

As a result, the piston 159 is moved in the direction of the arrow andpushes out the plunger 157, and silicone rubber 59 inside the injectioncylinder 156 is injected through the first gate 152 into the front sidecavity 151 (see FIG. 11B).

The second pressure sensor 168 detects the internal pressure of the rearside cavity 166 (see FIG. 11B) and sends a detection signal to thesecond control part 186.

In the normal state the second control part 186 keeps the second airflow passage 182 open, but on the basis of the detection signal from thesecond pressure sensor 168 it switches the second air flow passage 182to closed or regulates the aperture of the second air flow passage 182.

Accordingly, when the air supply source 180 is driven in the normalstate, air delivered from the air supply source 180 is supplied throughthe first half of the second air flow passage 182, the second controlpart 186 and the second half of the second air flow passage 182 to thecylinder 176 of the second injecting means 144.

Consequently, the piston 175 is moved in the direction of the arrow andpushes out the plunger 173, and silicone rubber 59 inside the injectioncylinder 172 is injected through the second gate 167 into the rear sidecavity 166 (see FIG. 11B).

Next, an injection-molding method for molding the seal 118 (see FIG. 9)to the peripheral part 117 of the separator proper 116 using theinjection-molding apparatus 140 will be described, on the basis of FIG.10 through FIG. 12.

First, the injection-molding apparatus 140 shown in FIG. 10, i.e. afirst die 141 having a front side cavity face 150 that will cover thefront face 131 of a separator proper 116, a first gate 152 opening atthe front side cavity face 150, and a first pressure sensor 153 fordetecting the internal pressure of a front side cavity 151 (see FIG.11B), and a second die 143 having a rear side cavity face 165 that willcover the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116, a second gate 167opening at the rear side cavity face 165 and a second pressure sensor168 for detecting the internal pressure of the rear side cavity 166, isprepared.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into the front and rear side cavitiesin an injection-molding method of the second embodiment.

In FIG. 11A, a separator proper 116 is placed on the rear side cavityface 165 of the second die 143 and the first die 141 is lowered as shownby the arrows j1 to close the first and second dies 141, 143.

In FIG. 11B, as a result of the separator proper 116 being sandwiched bythe first die 141 and the second die 143, a front side cavity 151 isformed by the front face 131 of the separator proper 116 and the frontside cavity face 150 of the first die 141, and a rear side cavity 166 isformed by the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116 and the rearside cavity face 165 of the second die 143.

Then, by the air supply source 180 of the air supply means 145 beingdriven, air delivered from the air supply source 180 is supplied to thecylinder 160 of the first injecting means 142. The piston 159 moves asshown with an arrow, and the plunger 157 moves as shown by the arrowintegrally with the piston 159.

Consequently, molten silicone rubber 59 inside the injection cylinder156 is injected through the supply conduit 155 and the first gate 152 tothe front side cavity 151 as shown by the arrows k1.

At this time, the internal pressure of the front side cavity 151 isdetected by the first pressure sensor 153.

Simultaneously, air delivered from the air supply source 180 is suppliedto the cylinder 176 of the second injecting means 144. The piston 175moves as shown with an arrow, and the plunger 173 moves as shown by thearrow integrally with the piston 175.

Consequently, molten silicone rubber 59 inside the injection cylinder172 is injected through the supply conduit 171 and the second gate 167to the rear side cavity 166 as shown by the arrows l1 (l is a lower-caseL).

At this time, the internal pressure of the rear side cavity 166 isdetected by the second pressure sensor 168.

By the internal pressures of the front and rear side cavities 151, 166being detected by the first and second pressure sensors 153, 168 likethis, the respective apertures of the first and second air flow passages181, 182 are regulated by the first and second control parts 185, 186 sothat the internal pressures of the front and rear side cavities 151, 166are kept constant.

Accordingly, a fixed injection pressure is applied to the front face 131and the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116, and deformation ofthe separator proper 116 under the injection pressure is prevented.

By this means, the front and rear side cavities 151, 166 are rapidlyfilled with silicone rubber 59 with a normal injection pressure.

Also, by the internal pressures of the front and rear side cavities 151,166 being kept constant, the flows of silicone rubber 59 are controlledso that there is no difference in internal pressure between the frontand rear side cavities 151, 166 as injection of the silicone rubber 59is carried out.

By any internal pressure difference between the front and rear sidecavities 151, 166 being eliminated like this, the load acting on theseparator proper 116 is reduced.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are explanatory views showing an example ofcovering a separator proper with a seal in the injection-molding methodof the second embodiment.

In FIG. 12A, when a prescribed amount of molten silicone rubber 59 hasbeen injected into the front side cavity 151, the internal pressure ofthe front side cavity 151 reaches a prescribed value. At this time, theinternal pressure having reached the prescribed value is detected by thefirst pressure sensor 153, and it sends this detection signal to thefirst control part 185 of the control means 145.

On the basis of this detection signal the first control part 185operates and closes the first air flow passage 181 and thereby stops theair supply to the cylinder 160. Consequently the piston 159 and theplunger 157 stop and halt the injection of silicone rubber 59 into thefront side cavity 151.

By this means, the front side cavity 151 is filled certainly with theprescribed amount of silicone rubber 59, and the front side molded layer132 is molded optimally to the front face 131 of the separator proper116.

Meanwhile, when a prescribed amount of molten silicone rubber 59 hasbeen injected into the rear side cavity 166, the internal pressure ofthe rear side cavity 166 reaches a prescribed value. At this time, theinternal pressure having reached the prescribed value is detected by thesecond pressure sensor 168, and this detection signal is sent to thesecond control part 186 of the control means 145.

On the basis of this detection signal the second control part 186operates and closes the second air flow passage 182 and thereby stopsthe air supply to the cylinder 176. Consequently the piston 175 and theplunger 173 stop and halt the injection of silicone rubber 59 into therear side cavity 166.

By this means, the rear side cavity 166 is filled certainly with theprescribed amount of silicone rubber 59, and the rear side molded layer134 is molded optimally to the rear face 133 of the separator proper116.

By the front side molded layer 132 being molded optimally to the frontface 131 of the separator proper 116 and the rear side molded layer 134being molded optimally to the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116like this, a seal 118 is molded optimally with front and rear sidemolded layers 132, 134.

After the molding of the seal 118, the first die 141 is moved as shownby the arrows m1 to open the first and second dies 141, 143.

In FIG. 12B, by the first and second dies 141, 143 being opened, aseparator 115 obtained by covering the peripheral part 117 of theseparator proper 116 with the seal 118 is released from the first andsecond dies 141, 143.

This completes the process of manufacturing a separator 115.

As described in the second embodiment of FIG. 9 through FIG. 12B, withan injection-molding method according to this invention, molten siliconerubber 59 is injected into a front side cavity 151 through a first gate152 and molten silicone rubber 59 is injected into a rear side cavity166 through a second gate 167.

By silicone rubber 59 being injected into the front and rear sidecavities 151, 166 separately through first and second gates 152, 167like this, the silicone rubber 59 can be guided into the front and rearside cavities 151, 166 efficiently and the front and rear side cavities151, 166 can be filled rapidly.

Also, by the internal pressures of the front and rear side cavities 151,166 being detected with first and second pressure sensors 153, 168, theinternal pressures of the front and rear side cavities 151, 166 are keptconstant.

By this means, the silicone rubber 59 can be injected into each of thefront side cavity 151 and the rear side cavity 166 optimally.

As a result, the front side molded layer 132 and the rear side moldedlayer 134 can be molded respectively to the front face 131 and the rearface 133 of the separator proper 116 well in a short time.

Next, an injection-molding apparatus 200 (see FIG. 13) for molding aseal 118 (see FIG. 9) will be described.

Third Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 13, the injection-molding apparatus 200 has a first die201 movable up and down as shown with arrows, has a second die 202disposed below this first die 201 and clampable to the first die 201,has injecting means 205 connected to a first gate 203 in the first die201 and a second gate 204 in the second die 202, and has control means206 for opening and closing the first and second gates 203, 204.

The first die 201 has a front side cavity face 150 in its side facingthe second die 202. When the first die 201 and the second die 202 areclamped together and a separator proper 116 is sandwiched between thefirst die 201 and the second die 202, a front side cavity 151 (see FIG.145) is formed by the front side cavity face 150 and the front face 131of the separator proper 116.

Also, the first die 201 has the first gate 203, which opens at the frontface cavity face 150, and a first pressure sensor 207 for measuring theinternal pressure of the front side cavity 151.

The second die 202 has a rear side cavity face 165 in its side facingthe first die 201. When the first die 201 and the second die 202 areclamped together and the separator proper 116 is sandwiched between thefirst die 201 and the second die 202, a rear side cavity 166 (see FIG.14B) is formed by the rear side cavity face 165 and the rear face 133 ofthe separator proper 116.

Also, the second die 202 has the second gate 204, which opens at therear face cavity face 165, and a second pressure sensor 208 formeasuring the internal pressure of the rear side cavity 16E.

The injecting means 205 is connected to the first and second gates 203,204. This injecting means 205 has a first supply conduit 210 connectingwith the first gate 203, has a second supply conduit 211 connecting withthe second gate 204, and has an injection cylinder 212 connecting withthe first and second supply conduits 210, 211; a plunger 213 is movablydisposed inside the injection cylinder 212, a piston 215 is connected bya rod 214 to this plunger 213, and this piston 215 is movably disposedinside a cylinder 216.

The outlet of a hopper 217 connects with the injection cylinder 212, anda resin material inside the hopper 217, i.e. molten silicone rubber(molding material) 59, is supplied into the injection cylinder 212.

After molten silicone rubber 59 inside the hopper 161 has been suppliedinto the injection cylinder 212, by the piston 215 being moved in thedirection of the arrow the plunger 213 is pushed out.

Consequently, silicone rubber 59 inside the injection cylinder 212 isinjected through the first gate 203 into the front side cavity 151 (seeFIG. 14B), and is injected through the second gate 204 into the rearside cavity 166 (see FIG. 14B).

The control means 206 has a first opening and closing part 220 foropening and closing the first gate 203 and has a second opening andclosing part 221 for opening and closing the second gate 204; a controlpart 224 is connected to the first and second opening and closing parts220, 221 by first and second air flow passages 222, 223 respectively, anair supply source 226 is connected to this control part 224 by an airsupply passage 225, and the first and second pressure sensors 207, 208are electrically connected to the control part 224 by harnesses 227,228.

The first opening and closing part 220 has a first opening/closing valve231 disposed raise/lowerably as shown with an arrow inside the firstgate 203; a rod 232 extends upward from the first opening/closing valve231, a piston 233 is attached to the upper end of the rod 232, and thepiston 233 is received slidably inside a cylinder 234.

The second opening and closing part 221 has a second opening/closingvalve 236 disposed raise/lowerably as shown with an arrow inside thesecond gate 204; a rod 237 extends upward from the secondopening/closing valve 236, a piston 238 is attached to the upper end ofthe rod 237, and the piston 238 is slidably received inside a cylinder239.

The first pressure sensor 207 detects the internal pressure of the frontside cavity 151 (see FIG. 14B) and sends a detection signal to thecontrol part 224.

The second pressure sensor 208 detects the internal pressure of the rearside cavity 166 (see FIG. 14B) and sends a detection signal to thecontrol part 224.

The control part 224, in a normal state, by keeping the air supplypassage 225 and the first air flow passage 222 in a disconnected state,sets the first opening/closing valve 231 to a standby position P3 andopens the first gate 203, and, by keeping the air supply passage 225 andthe second air flow passage 223 in a disconnected state, sets the secondopening/closing valve 236 to a standby position P4 and opens the secondgate 204.

The control part 224, by switching the air supply passage 225 and thefirst air flow passage 222 to a connected state on the basis of adetection signal from the first pressure sensor 207, guides air from theair supply source 226 to the cylinder 234 and thereby actuates thepiston 233 to lower the first opening/closing valve 231 from its standbyposition P3 and close the first gate 203.

Also, the control part 224, by switching the air supply passage 225 andthe second air flow passage 223 to a connected state on the basis of adetection signal from the second pressure sensor 208, guides air fromthe air supply source 226 to the cylinder 239 and thereby actuates thepiston 238 to raise the second opening/closing valve 236 from itsstandby position P4 and close the second gate 204.

Additionally, on the basis of the detection signals from the first andsecond pressure sensors 207, 208, the control part 224 regulates theapertures of the first and second gates 203, 204 with the first andsecond opening/closing valves 231, 236 so that the internal pressures ofthe front side cavity 151 and the rear side cavity 166 (see FIG. 14B)are constant.

Next, an injection-molding method for molding a seal 118 on theperipheral part 117 of a separator proper 116 using theinjection-molding apparatus 200 will be described, on the basis of FIG.13 through FIG. 17.

First, the injection-molding apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 13, i.e. afirst die 201 having a front side cavity face 150 that will cover thefront face 131 of a separator proper 116, a first gate 203 opening atthe front side cavity face 150, and a first pressure sensor 207 fordetecting the internal pressure of the front side cavity 151 (see FIG.14B), and a second die 202 having a rear side cavity face 165 that willcover the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116, a second gate 204opening at the rear side cavity face 165, and a second pressure sensor208 for detecting the internal pressure of the rear side cavity 166 (seeFIG. 14B), is prepared.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are explanatory views showing an example offorming front and rear side cavities in an injection-molding method of athird embodiment.

In FIG. 14A, a separator proper 116 is placed on the rear side cavityface 165 of the second die 202, and by the first die 201 being loweredas shown by the arrows n1 the first and second dies 201, 202 are closed.

In FIG. 14B, by the separator proper 116 being sandwiched by the firstdie 201 and the second die 202, a front side cavity 151 is formed by thefront face 131 of the separator proper 116 and the front side cavityface 150 of the first die 201, and a rear side cavity 166 is formed bythe rear face 133 of the separator proper 116 and the rear side cavityface 165 of the second die 202.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing an example of injecting moltensilicone rubber into the front and rear side cavities in theinjection-molding method of the third embodiment.

Next, the piston 215 of the injecting means 205 is moved as shown withan arrow and together with the piston 215 the plunger 213 moves as shownby the arrow.

Consequently, molten silicone rubber 59 inside the injection cylinder212 is passed through the first supply conduit 210, the first gate 203and a tip flow passage 203 a of the first gate 203 and injected into thefront side cavity 151 as shown by the arrows o1.

While this is happening, the internal pressure of the front side cavity151 is detected with the first pressure sensor 207.

At the same time, molten silicone rubber 59 inside the injectioncylinder 212 is passed through the second supply conduit 211, the secondgate 204 and a tip flow passage 204 a of the second gate 204 andinjected into the rear side cavity 166 as shown by the arrows p1.

While this is happening, the internal pressure of the rear side cavity166 is detected with the second pressure sensor 208.

By the internal pressures of the front and rear side cavities 151, 166being detected by the first and second pressure sensors 207, 208 likethis, the apertures of the first and second gates 203, 204 are regulatedby the control part 224 so that the internal pressures of the front andrear side cavities 151, 166 are kept constant.

Therefore, a constant injection pressure is applied to the front face131 and the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116, and deformationof the separator proper 116 under injection pressure is prevented. Bythis means it is possible to inject silicone rubber 59 into the frontand rear side cavities 151, 166 rapidly with a normal injectionpressure.

Also, by the internal pressures of the front and rear side cavities 151,166 being kept constant, the flows of silicone rubber 59 are controlledso that there is no difference in internal pressure between the frontand rear side cavities 151, 166 as injection of the silicone rubber 59is carried out.

By any internal pressure difference between the front and rear sidecavities 151, 166 being eliminated like this, the load acting on theseparator proper 116 can be reduced.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an example of molding a seal inthe injection-molding method of the third embodiment.

When a prescribed amount of molten silicone rubber 59 has been injectedinto the front side cavity 151, the internal pressure of the front sidecavity 151 reaches a prescribed value. At this time, the internalpressure having reached the prescribed value is detected with the firstpressure sensor 207, and this detection signal is sent to the controlpart 224 of the control means 206.

On the basis of this detection signal the control part 224 operates, andswitches the air supply passage 225 and the first air flow passage 222to a connected state. Air from the air supply source 226 is guided viathe air supply passage 225 and the first air flow passage 222 to thecylinder 234 and actuates the piston 233.

The rod 232 is actuated together with the piston 233 and lowers thefirst opening/closing valve 231 from its standby position P3 (see FIG.13) and closes the first gate 203 with the first opening/closing valve231.

By this means, the front side cavity 151 is filled certainly with theprescribed amount of silicone rubber 59, and the front side molded layer132 is molded optimally to the front face 131 of the separator proper116.

Meanwhile, a prescribed amount of molten silicone rubber 59 is injectedinto the rear side cavity 166 and the internal pressure of the rear sidecavity 166 reaches a prescribed value. At this time, the internalpressure having reached the prescribed value is detected by the secondpressure sensor 208, and this detection signal is sent to the controlpart 224 of the control means 206.

On the basis of this detection signal the control part 224 operates andswitches the air supply passage 225 and the second air flow passage 223to a connected state. Air from the air supply source 226 is guided viathe air supply passage 225 and the second air flow passage 223 to thecylinder 239 and actuates the piston 238.

The rod 237 is actuated together with the piston 238 and raises thesecond opening/closing valve 236 to the standby position P4 (see FIG.13) and closes the second gate 204 with the second opening/closing valve236.

By this means, the rear side cavity 166 is filled certainly with theprescribed amount of silicone rubber 59, and the rear side molded layer134 is molded optimally to the rear face 133 of the separator proper116.

By the front side molded layer 132 being molded optimally to the frontface 131 of the separator proper 116 and the rear side molded layer 134being molded optimally to the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116like this, the seal 118 is molded optimally with front and rear sidemolded layers 132, 134.

After the molding of the seal 118, the first die 201 is moved as shownby the arrows q1 and the first and second dies 201, 202 are opened.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing an example of releasing aseparator from the first and second dies in the injection-molding methodof the third embodiment.

As a result of the first and second dies 201, 202 being opened, aseparator 115 obtained by covering the peripheral part 117 of aseparator proper 116 with a seal 118 is released from the first andsecond dies 201, 202.

This completes the process of manufacturing a separator 15.

As described in the third embodiment of FIG. 13 through FIG. 17, with aninjection-molding method according to this invention, molten siliconerubber 59 is injected into a front side cavity 151 through a first gate203 and molten silicone rubber 59 is injected into a rear side cavity166 through a second gate 204.

By molten silicone rubber 59 being injected into the front and rear sidecavities 151, 166 separately through first and second gates 203, 204like this, the silicone rubber 59 can be guided into the front and rearside cavities 151, 166 efficiently and the front and rear side cavities151, 166 can be filled rapidly.

Also, by the internal pressures of the front and rear side cavities 151,166 being detected with first and second pressure sensors 207, 208, theinternal pressures of the front and rear side cavities 151, 166 are keptconstant.

By this means, the silicone rubber 59 can be injected into each of thefront side cavity 151 and the rear side cavity 166 optimally.

As a result, the front side molded layer 132 and the rear side moldedlayer 134 can be molded respectively to the front face 131 and the rearface 133 of the separator proper 116 well in a short time.

Next, an injection-molding apparatus 340 (see FIG. 18) for molding aseal 118 (see FIG. 9) will be described.

Fourth Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 18, the injection-molding apparatus 340 is made up of afirst die 341 provided raise/lowerably as shown with arrows, injectingmeans 342 provided on this first die 341, a bed 343 disposed below thefirst die 341, moving means 348 for sliding a slider 345 along a guiderail 344 of this bed 343, and second and third dies 346, 347 mounted onthis slider 345.

The moving means 348 is made up of the guide rail 344 provided on thebed 343, the slider 345, which is mounted slidably in the arrowdirection along the guide rail 344, and an actuator (not shown) such asa air cylinder for moving the slider 345 along the guide rail 344.

The first die 341 has a front side cavity face 351 for forming a frontside cavity 350 (see FIG. 19B) with the front face 131 of a separatorproper 116 when the first die 341 is clamped to the second die 346.

Also, the first die 341 is provided with a runner 352 opening at a topface 341 a and has first and second gates 354, 355 connecting with thisrunner 352 via switching means (a switching valve) 353.

The first gate 354 is a flow passage having its outlet opening at thefront side cavity face 351. On the other hand, the second gate 355 is aflow passage having its outlet 355 a opening at a bottom face 341 b ofthe first die 341, avoiding the front side cavity face 351.

A switching valve 353 is provided at a branching point of the first gate354 and the second gate 355.

This switching valve 353 is a valve constructed for example so that ithas a valve member 356 rotatably in the first die 341, a T-shaped flowpassage 357 is formed in the valve member 356, and by this valve member356 being rotated with an actuator such as a motor 358, the runner 352can be connected to either one of the first and second gates 354, 355.

Accordingly, by controlling the valve member 356 of the switching valve353 with the motor 358, it is possible to switch between a state inwhich the runner 352 is connected to the first gate 354 and moltensilicone rubber (molding material) 59 is guided from the injecting means342 to the first gate 354, and a state in which the runner 352 isconnected to the second gate 355 and molten silicone rubber (moldingmaterial) 59 is guided from the injecting means 342 to the second gate355.

The injecting means 342 has a supply conduit 361 connected to the runner352 of the first die 341 and has an injection cylinder 362 connected tothis supply conduit 361; a plunger 363 is movably disposed inside theinjection cylinder 362, this plunger 363 is connected by a rod 364 to apiston 365, and this piston 365 is disposed movably inside a cylinder366.

The outlet of a hopper 367 connects with the injection cylinder 362, andresin material, i.e. molten silicone rubber (molding material) 59, inthe hopper 367 is supplied into the injection cylinder 362.

After molten silicone rubber 59 in the hopper 367 is supplied throughthe outlet into the injection cylinder 362, by the piston 365 beingmoved in the direction of the arrow, the plunger 363 is pushed out andsilicone rubber 59 inside the injection cylinder 362 is injected throughthe runner 352, the flow passage 357 of the switching valve 353 and thefirst gate 354 into the front side cavity 350 (see FIG. 19B).

The second die 346 is mounted on the slider 345 and has at its top areceiving face 370 for making contact with the rear face 133 of theseparator proper 116 when the second die 346 is clamped to the first die391.

The third die 347 is mounted on the slider 345 and has a rear sidecavity face 372 for forming a rear side cavity 371 (see FIG. 21B) withthe rear face 133 of the separator proper 116 when the third die 347 isclamped to the first die 341, and has a connecting passage 374 forconnecting the second gate 355 to the rear side cavity 371.

The connecting passage 374 is a substantially J-shaped flow passagehaving an inlet 374 a opening in a top face 347 a of the third die 347and having an outlet 374 b opening at the rear side cavity face 372, andwhen the first die 341 and the third die 347 are clamped together theoutlet 355 a of the second gate 355 faces the inlet 374 a.

Accordingly, when the first die 341 and the third die 347 are clampedtogether, the rear side cavity 371 (see FIG. 21B) is connected to thesecond gate 355 by the connecting passage 374.

By this means, when the piston 365 of the injecting means 342 is movedin the arrow direction the plunger 363 is pushed out and silicone rubber59 in the injection cylinder 362 is injected through the runner 352, theflow passage 357 of the switching valve 353, the second gate 355 and theconnecting passage 374 into the rear side cavity 371 (see FIG. 21B).

The moving means 348 is means for moving the slider 345 in the arrowdirection, and moves the second die 346 and the third die 347 between afacing position P5 facing the first die 341 and a withdrawn position P6where the second die 346 and the third die 347 are withdrawn from thefirst die 341.

Next, an injection-molding method for molding a seal 118 (see FIG. 9) tothe peripheral part 117 of a separator proper 116 using aninjection-molding apparatus 340 will be described, on the basis of FIG.18 through FIG. 22.

First, the injection-molding apparatus 340 shown in FIG. 18 is prepared.That is, a first die 341 having a front side cavity face 351 that willcover the front face 131 of a separator proper 116, a first gate 354opening at the front side cavity face 351, a second gate 355 avoidingthe front side cavity face 351, and a switching valve 353 for guidingmolten silicone rubber 59 to either one of the first and second gates354, 355 is prepared; a second die 346 having a receiving face 370 forreceiving the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116 without forminga cavity is prepared; and a third die 347 having a rear side cavity face372 that will cover the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116 and aconnecting passage 374 for connecting the second gate 355 to the rearside cavity 371 (see FIG. 21B) is prepared.

FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into a front side cavity in theinjection-molding method of the fourth embodiment.

In FIG. 19A, by the slider 345 being moved with the moving means 348,the second die 346 is set to the facing position P5, and the second die346 is thus made to face the first die 341.

Next, by a separator proper 116 being received onto the receiving face370 of the second die 346, the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116is brought into contact with the receiving face 370.

In this state, by the first die 341 being lowered as shown by the arrowsr1, the first and second dies 341, 346 are closed.

In FIG. 19B, by the separator proper 116 being sandwiched between thefirst die 341 and the second die 346, a front side cavity 350 is formedby the front face 131 of the separator proper 116 and the front sidecavity face 351 of the first die 341.

Then, the plunger 363 is moved as shown by the arrow s1 with the piston365 of the injecting means 342. As a result of this, molten siliconerubber 59 in the injection cylinder 362 is injected through the supplyconduit 361, the runner 352, the flow passage 357 of the switching valve353 and the first gate 354 into the front side cavity 350 as shown bythe arrows t1.

FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B are explanatory views showing an example ofmolding a front side molded layer to a separator proper in theinjection-molding method of the fourth embodiment.

In FIG. 20A, by molten silicone rubber 59 being injected into the frontside cavity 350, a front side molded layer 132 is molded to the frontface 131 of the separator proper 116.

Next, the first die 341 is opened by being moved as shown by the arrowsu1.

In FIG. 20B, when the first die 341 is opened, by the separator proper116 moving together with the first die 341, the separator proper 116 isreleased from the second die 346.

Next, the moving means 348 is operated to move the slider 345 as shownby the arrow v1.

FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into the rear side cavity in theinjection-molding method of the fourth embodiment.

In FIG. 21A, the third die 347 is set to the facing position P5, and thethird die 347 is thus made to face the first die 341.

Then, by the first die 341 being lowered as shown by the arrows w1,while the front side molded layer 132 is still soft the first and thirddies 341, 347 are clamped together and the second die 346 (see FIG. 20B)is thus replaced with the third die 347.

In FIG. 21B, by the first die 341 and the third die 347 being clampedtogether sandwiching the separator proper 116, a rear side cavity 371 isformed by the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116 and the rearside cavity face 372 of the third die 347.

At this time, the outlet 355 a of the second gate 355 is brought to facethe inlet 374 a and the second gate 355 is thereby connected to the rearside cavity 371 by the connecting passage 374.

Next, by the valve member 356 being turned counterclockwise through 90°with the motor 358 of the switching valve 353, the runner 352 isconnected to the second gate 355 with the flow passage 357 of the valvemember 356.

Then, by the plunger 363 being moved as shown by the arrow x1 with thepiston 365 of the injecting means 342, molten silicone rubber 59 in theinjection cylinder 362 is injected through the supply conduit 361, therunner 352, the flow passage 357 of the switching valve 353, the secondgate 355 and the connecting passage 374 into the rear side cavity 371 asshown by the arrow y1.

By molten silicone rubber 59 guided to the second gate 355 being guidedthrough the connecting passage 374 into the rear side cavity 371 likethis, molten silicone rubber 59 can be injected into the rear sidecavity 371 efficiently and rapidly.

FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B are explanatory views showing an example ofreleasing the separator from the first and third dies in theinjection-molding method of the fourth embodiment.

In FIG. 22A, molten silicone rubber 59 is injected into the rear sidecavity 371 to mold a rear side molded layer 134 on the rear face 133 ofthe separator proper 116.

Here, the outer edge 116 a of the separator proper 116 is disposed apredetermined gap away from the front side cavity face 351 of the firstdie 341 and is disposed a predetermined gap away from the rear facecavity face 372 of the second die 347.

Therefore, when the first and third dies 341, 347 are closed, the frontside cavity 350 formed by the first die 341 and the separator proper 116and the rear side cavity 371 formed by the third die 347 and theseparator proper 116 extend around the outer edge 116 a of the separatorproper 116 and connect with each other.

As a result, the rear side molded layer 134 is guided to the outer edge116 a of the separator proper 116 and made to connect with the frontside molded layer 132 extending to the outer edge 116 a of the separatorproper 116.

Because the outer edge 116 a of the separator proper 116 can be coveredwith the front side molded layer 132 and the rear side molded layer 134,i.e. the seal 118, corrosion of the separator proper 116 is preventedfrom occurring.

After the separator proper 116 has been covered with the front sidemolded layer 132 and the rear side molded layer 134, the first die 341is opened by being moved as shown by the arrows z1.

In FIG. 22B, the separator 115 obtained by covering the separator proper116 with the seal 118 is released from the first and third dies 341, 347and the process of manufacturing the separator 115 ends.

As explained in the fourth embodiment of FIG. 18 through FIG. 22B, withan injection-molding method according to this invention, by moltensilicone rubber 59 guided to the second gate 355 being guidedefficiently to the rear side cavity 371 through a connecting passage374, the rear side cavity 371 can be filled with silicone rubber 59rapidly.

By this means it is possible to mold a front side molded layer 132 and arear side molded layer 134 respectively to the front face 131 and therear face 133 of a separator proper 116 in a short time.

Also, with the simple construction of just providing the first andsecond gates 354, 355 and the switching valve 353 in the first die 341and providing the connecting passage 374 in the third die 347, it ispossible to mold a seal (molded layer) 118 to the front face 131 and therear face 133 of a separator proper 116 in a short time.

By this means it is possible to provide an economical injection-moldingapparatus 340.

Next, an injection-molding apparatus 380 (see FIG. 23) for molding aseal 118 (see FIG. 9) will be described.

Fifth Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 23, in the injection-molding apparatus 380, just itsfirst die 381 is different from the first die 341 of the fourthembodiment, and the rest of the construction is the same as the fourthembodiment.

That is, the injection-molding apparatus 380 is made up of a first die381 provided raise/lowerably as shown with arrows, injecting means 342provided on this first die 381, a bed 343 disposed below the first die381, moving means 348 for sliding a slider 345 along a guide rail 344 ofthis bed 343, and second and third dies 346, 347 mounted on this slider345.

The first die 381 has a front side cavity face 383 for forming a frontside cavity 382 (see FIG. 24B) with the front face 131 of the separatorproper 116 when the first die 381 is clamped to the second die 346.

Also, the first die 381 has a runner 385 opening at its top face 381 aand first and second gates 386, 387 branching from this runner 385.

The first gate 386 is a flow passage having its outlet 386 a opening atthe front side cavity face 383. On the other hand, the second gate 387is a flow passage having its outlet 387 a opening at the bottom face 381b of the first die 381, avoiding the front side cavity face 383.

The first gate 386 and the second gate 387 are provided with switchingmeans 390 for opening and closing the outlets 386 a, 387 a.

This switching means 390 is made up of a first switching part 391 foropening and closing the outlet 386 a of the first gate 386 and a secondswitching part 392 for opening and closing the outlet 387 a of thesecond gate 387.

The first switching part 391 has a first valve member 394 provided inthe first gate 386 and a first cylinder unit 395 connected to this firstvalve member 394.

Specifically, the first switching part 391 is constructed with the firstvalve member 394 connected via a rod 397 to a piston 396 of the firstcylinder unit 395 so that by the piston 396 being moved in the up-downdirection the first valve member 394 moves between a closed position inwhich it closes the outlet 386 a and an open position in which it opensthe outlet 386 a.

The second switching part 392 has a second valve member 401 provided inthe second gate 387 and a second cylinder unit 402 connected to thissecond valve member 401.

Specifically, the second switching part 392 is constructed with thesecond valve member 401 connected via a rod 404 to a piston 403 of thesecond cylinder unit 402 so that by the piston 403 being moved in theup-down direction the second valve member 401 moves between a closedposition in which it closes the outlet 387 a and an open position inwhich it opens the outlet 387 a.

By the first and second cylinder units 395, 402 of the switching means390 being controlled, switching is carried out between a state in whichthe outlet 386 a of the first gate 386 is open and the outlet 387 a ofthe second gate 387 is closed and a state in which the outlet 386 a ofthe first gate 386 is closed and the outlet 387 a of the second gate 387is open.

Next, an injection-molding method for molding a seal 118 (see FIG. 9) tothe peripheral part 117 of a separator proper 116 using theinjection-molding apparatus 380 will be described, on the basis of FIG.23 through FIG. 27.

First, the injection-molding apparatus 380 shown in FIG. 23 is prepared.That is, a first die 381 having a front side cavity face 383 that willcover the front face 131 of a separator proper 116, a first gate 386opening at the front side cavity face 383, a second gate 387 avoidingthe front side cavity face 383 and switching means 390 for openingeither an outlet 386 a of the first gate 386 or an outlet 387 a of thesecond gate 387 is prepared; a second die 346 having a receiving face370 that will receive the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116without forming a cavity is prepared; and a third die 347 having a rearside cavity face 372 that will cover the rear face 133 of the separatorproper 116 and a connecting passage 374 for connecting the second gate387 to a rear side cavity 371 (see FIG. 26B) is prepared.

FIG. 24A and FIG. 24B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into a front side cavity in theinjection-molding method of the fifth embodiment.

In FIG. 24A, by the slider 345 being moved with the moving means 348,the second die 346 is set in the facing position P5 and the second die346 is thus brought to face the first die 381.

Then, by a separator proper 116 being received onto the receiving face370 of the second die 346, the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116is brought into contact with the receiving face 370.

In this state, by the first die 381 being lowered as shown by the arrowsa2, the first and second dies 381, 346 are clamped together.

At this time, the first and second cylinder units 395, 402 of theswitching means 390 are controlled to the state wherein the outlet 386 aof the first gate 386 is open and the outlet 387 a of the second gate387 is closed.

In FIG. 24B, by the separator proper 116 being sandwiched between thefirst die 381 and the second die 346, a front side cavity 382 is formedby the front face 131 of the separator proper 116 and the front sidecavity face 383 of the first die 381.

Then, the plunger 363 is moved with the piston 365 of the injectingmeans 342 as shown by the arrow b2. As a result, molten silicone rubber59 in the injection cylinder 362 is passed through the supply conduit361, the runner 385 and the first gate 386 and injected into the frontside cavity 382 through the outlet 386 a as shown by the arrows c2.

FIG. 25A and FIG. 25B are explanatory views showing an example ofmolding a front side molded layer on a separator proper in theinjection-molding method of the fifth embodiment.

In FIG. 25A, by molten silicone rubber 59 being injected into the frontside cavity 382, a front side molded layer 132 is molded to the frontface 131 of the separator proper 116.

Next, after the first cylinder unit 395 is controlled by the switchingmeans 390 to close the outlet 386 a of the first gate 386, the first die381 is moved as shown by the arrows d2 to open the mold.

In FIG. 25B, when the first die 381 is opened, by the separator proper116 moving together with the first die 381, the separator proper 116 isremoved from the second die 346.

Then, the moving means 348 is operated to move the slider 345 as shownby the arrow e2.

FIG. 26A and FIG. 26B are explanatory views showing an example ofinjecting molten silicone rubber into a rear side cavity in theinjection-molding method of the fifth embodiment.

In FIG. 26A, the third die 347 is set to the facing position P5 and thethird die 347 is thus brought to face the first die 381.

Next, by the first die 381 being lowered as shown by the arrows f2,while the front side molded layer 132 is still soft the first and thirddies 381, 347 are clamped together. This completes a mold-closing withthe second die 346 (see FIG. 25B) replaced with the third die 347.

In FIG. 26B, by the first die 381 and the third die 347 being clampedtogether sandwiching the separator proper 116, a rear side cavity 371 isformed by the rear face 133 of the separator proper 116 and the rearside cavity face 372 of the third die 347.

At this time, the inlet 374 a faces the outlet 387 a of the second gate387 and the second gate 387 is connected to the rear side cavity 371 bythe connecting passage 374.

Next, the switching means 390 controls the second cylinder unit 402 toswitch to a state wherein the outlet 387 a of the second gate 387 isopen.

Then, by the plunger 363 being moved with the piston 365 of theinjecting means 342 as shown by the arrow g2, molten silicone rubber 59in the injection cylinder 362 is injected through the supply conduit361, the runner 385, second gate 387 and the connecting passage 374 intothe rear side cavity 371 as shown by the arrow h2.

By molten silicone rubber 59 guided to the second gate 387 being guidedinto the rear side cavity 371 through the connecting passage 374 likethis, the rear side cavity 371 can be filled with molten silicone rubber59 efficiently and rapidly.

FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B are explanatory views showing an example ofreleasing a separator from the first and third dies in theinjection-molding method of the fifth embodiment.

In FIG. 27A, molten silicone rubber 59 is injected into the rear sidecavity 371 to mold a rear side molded layer 134 to the rear face 133 ofthe separator proper 116.

Here, the outer edge 116 a of the separator proper 116 is disposed apredetermined gap away from the front side cavity face 383 of the firstdie 381 and is disposed a predetermined gap away from the rear facecavity face 372 of the second die 347.

Therefore, when the first and third dies 381, 347 are clamped together,the front side cavity 382 formed by the first die 381 and the separatorproper 116 and the rear side cavity 371 formed by the third die 347 andthe separator proper 116 pass around the outer edge 116 a of theseparator proper 116 and connect with each other.

By this means it is possible to guide the rear side molded layer 134 tothe outer edge 116 a of the separator proper 116 and connect it with thefront side molded layer 132 extending to the outer edge 116 a of theseparator proper 116.

Because the outer edge 116 a of the separator proper 116 can be coveredby the front side molded layer 132 and the rear side molded Layer 134,i.e. the seal 118, corrosion is prevented from occurring in theseparator proper 116.

After the separator proper 116 is covered with the front side moldedlayer 132 and the rear side molded layer 134, the second cylinder unit402 is controlled by the switching means 390 to close the outlet 387 aof the second gate 387. In this state, the first die 381 is moved asshown by the arrows i2 to open the mold.

In FIG. 27B, the separator 115 obtained by covering the separator proper116 with the seal 118 is released from the first and third dies 381, 347and the process of manufacturing the separator 115 ends.

As explained in the fifth embodiment of FIG. 23 through FIG. 27B, withan injection-molding method according to the invention, like the fourthembodiment, molten silicone rubber 59 guided to the second gate 3871 sguided efficiently into the rear side cavity 371 through the connectingpassage 374, and the rear side cavity 371 is filled with silicone rubber59 rapidly.

By this means it is possible to mold a front side molded layer 132 and arear side molded layer 134 respectively to the front face 131 and therear face 133 of a separator proper 116 in a short time.

Also, with the simple construction of just providing the first andsecond gates 386, 387 and the switching means 390 in the first die 381and providing the connecting passage 374 in the third die 347, it ispossible to mold a seal (molded layer) 118 to the front face 131 and therear face 133 of a separator proper 116 in a short time.

By this means it is possible to provide an economical injection-moldingapparatus 380.

Although in the foregoing first through fifth embodiments examples weredescribed wherein silicone rubber 59 was used as the molding material,the invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to usesome other rubber material or a resin material or the like as themolding material.

Although in the foregoing the first through fifth embodiments aseparator 16, 116 was described as an example of a plate-shaped member,the plate-shaped member is not limited to this and the invention canalso be applied to other plate materials.

Also, although in the foregoing first embodiment an example wasdescribed wherein as an example three support projections 66 wereprovided on the rear side cavity face 64 of the third die 47, the numberof support projections 66 can be selected freely.

Although in the foregoing first embodiment an injection-moldingapparatus 40 was described wherein first through third dies 41, 46, 47were disposed horizontally and the first die 41 was moved in the up-downdirection to effect mold-opening and mold-closing, there is nolimitation to this, and the invention can also be applied to aninjection-molding apparatus in which the first through third dies 41,46, 47 are disposed vertically and the first die 41 is movedhorizontally in a sideways direction to effect mold-opening andmold-closing.

Also, whereas in the foregoing second and third embodimentsinjection-molding apparatus 140, 200 were described in which a first die141, 201 and a second die 143, 202 were disposed horizontally and thefirst die 141, 201 was moved in the up-down direction to effectmold-opening and mold-closing, there is no limitation to this, and theinvention can also be applied to an injection-molding apparatus in whichthe first die 141, 201 and the second die 143, 202 are disposedvertically and the first die 141, 201 is moved horizontally in asideways direction to effect mold-opening and mold-closing.

Whereas in the foregoing fourth and fifth embodiments injection-moldingapparatus 340, 380 were described in which a first die 341, 381 and asecond and third dies 346, 347 were disposed horizontally and the firstdie 341, 381 was moved in the up-down direction to effect mold-openingand mold-closing, there is no limitation to this, and the invention canalso be applied to an injection-molding apparatus in which the first die341, 381 and the second and third dies 346, 347 are disposed verticallyand the first die 341, 381 is moved horizontally in a sideways directionto effect mold-opening and mold-closing.

Also, although in the foregoing first embodiment an example wasdescribed wherein a second die 46 and a third die 47 were mounted on aslider 45 and the second die 46 and the third die 47 were moved torequired positions by the slider 45 being moved along a guide rail 44,as another example, it is also possible to mount the second die 46 andthe third die 47 on a rotating plate and move the second die 46 and thethird die 47 to the required positions by turning the rotating plate.

Whereas in the foregoing fourth and fifth embodiments examples weredescribed wherein a second die 346 and a third die 347 were mounted on aslider 345 and the second die 346 and the third the 347 were moved torequired positions by the slider 345 being moved along a guide rail 344,as another example, it is also possible to mount the second die 346 andthe third die 347 on a rotating plate and move the second die 346 andthe third die 347 to the required positions by turning the rotatingplate.

Although in the foregoing first and fourth and fifth embodimentsexamples were described in which air cylinders were used as theactuators of moving means 48, 348, there is no limitation to this and itis also possible to use other actuators such as hydraulic cylinders,ball screws and motors.

Whereas in the fourth embodiment an example was described in which avalve switched by the operation of a motor was used as the switchingvalve 353, the switching valve is not limited to this and it is alsopossible to use some other switching valve such as a solenoid valve.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As is clear from the foregoing description this invention improvestechnology for molding molded layers such as seals to both sides of aplate-shaped member, and therefore the invention is useful in theproduction of plate-shaped bodies such as separators for use in fuelcells.

1. An injection-molding method for covering a plate-shaped member havinga through hole extending from a front face to a rear face with a moldedlayer by injection-molding, the injection-molding method comprising thesteps of: preparing a first die having a gate that will face the throughhole and a front side cavity face that will face the front face of theplate-shaped member, a second die having a receiving face for receivingthe rear face of the plate-shaped member and a pin for blocking thethrough hole, and a third die having a rear side cavity face that willface the rear face of the plate-shaped member; sandwiching theplate-shaped member with the first die and the second die and forming afront side cavity with the front side cavity face of the first die andthe front face of the plate-shaped member; molding a front side moldedlayer to the front face of the plate-shaped member by injecting amolding material such as resin through the gate into the front sidecavity; opening the through hole and forming a front side cavity withthe rear side cavity face of the third die and the rear face of theplate-shaped member by replacing the second die with the third die; andmolding a rear side molded layer to the rear face of the plate-shapedmember by piercing the front side molded layer with an injectionpressure injecting molding material through the gate and filling therear side cavity with molding material by way of the through hole.
 2. Aninjection-molding apparatus including a first die, a second die, a thirddie, and means for moving the second and third dies, said apparatusbeing constructed to mold a front side molded layer to a front face of aplate-shaped member by sandwiching the plate-shaped member with thefirst die and the second die being closed and thereby forming a frontside cavity with the front face of the plate-shaped member and the firstdie and filling the front side cavity with a molding material such asresin and to mold a rear side molded layer to the rear face of theplate-shaped member by replacing the second die with a third die andsandwiching the plate-shaped member with the third die and the first dieand thereby forming a rear side cavity with the rear face of theplate-shaped member and the third die and filling the rear side cavitywith a molding material such as resin, wherein: the first die includes agate for injecting molding material into the front side cavity and therear side cavity, said gate being adapted to face a through hole formedin the plate-shaped member; the second die includes a receiving face formaking contact with the rear face of the plate-shaped member, andwherein the receiving face includes a pin adapted to fit in the throughhole; and to replace the second die with the third die, the moving meansis adapted to move the second and third dies between a facing positionfacing the first die and a withdrawn position away from the first die.3. The injection-molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein thethird die includes a support projection for supporting the plate-shapedmember by abutting with the plate-shaped member near the through hole.4. The injection-molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein thefront side cavity and the rear side cavity are formed so that the frontside molded layer and the rear side molded layer are made to extend asfar as an outer edge of the plate-shaped member and such that the moldedlayers contact one another.
 5. The injection-molding apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein the front side cavity and the rear side cavity areformed so that the front side molded layer and the rear side moldedlayer are made to extend as far as an outer edge of the plate-shapedmember and such that the molded layers contact one another.